brighthope2

Not A Tame Lion

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 16:31:00 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk April 3, 2022

Not a Tame Lion

As Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem (on the day we call Palm Sunday), the crowd cheered wildly in the hope that he would overthrow their Roman oppressors and rule like David, a warrior king. They shouted: “Hosanna, save us now, son of David!”

Jesus rode into Jerusalem, not on a war horse like a conquering king, but on a donkey in fulfillment of an ancient prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). By this visual message, Jesus was communicating two things: Yes, I am God’s only chosen King; but I am not the kind of king you want or expect.

Five days later, an enraged mob screamed for Jesus' execution. Since the whole city was stirred when he entered the city, there was surely some overlap in the two crowds. Some who were waving palm branches earlier, now shouted, “Let him be crucified!”

In the book of Revelation, the apostle John, who witnessed, first-hand, the crowds in both scenes, is told to look for a triumphant Lion, but there in the midst of the throne is a Lamb (Revelation 5:5-6).

The cheering multitude wanted a lion as king. The mob at the trial demanded a lamb. Neither crowd could grasp this meld of divergent realities in Jesus.

This terrible inconsistency in not a first century response. Certainly not a Jewish response. This is a human response, all too often our response. We want Jesus to do what we want: to fulfill our desires, our hopes, our dreams.

Jesus is a King like no other. In the memorable phrase of C. S. Lewis, he is not tame. His plans and purposes are different from ours. Sometimes he confounds us, yet we persist in demanding what we want.

Indeed, we can cry out like the cheering crowd, “Jesus, save us now!” We can appeal to Jesus for what we think is right and good and best. Jesus does meet our earthly needs. He does forgive our sins. He does rescue us from temptation. He does deliver us from evil.

We may wrestle with God in agony and unfiltered honesty. But when our expectations are unmet, as they will be at times, we want to get to the place of trusting Jesus, no matter what. As Jesus taught us, we pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done . . .”

Jesus is God’s only chosen King, both Lion and Lamb. He is not tame; he does not always do what we want or expect, but he is always good—and we can trust him, always.

Pastor Warren

Money, Sex, and Power

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 02:08:39 GMT

Sunday, March 27, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Money, Sex, and Power

In this Lenten season, consider three recurring areas of temptation. Richard Foster has named them in a book of the same title: money, sex, and power. These pitfalls are real. Anyone is susceptible, but there are safeguards to keep from falling into sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

A safeguard against the misuse of money is the practice of living simply. To this end, it is good to develop a spending plan, clear up debt, and practice resourcefulness—with the aim to live below one’s means. When Christ-followers study the biblical teachings about money and put them into practice, they discover a lifestyle marked by simplicity that frees them to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully (Matthew 6:19-34).

In a culture sated with sexuality, amid technology that offers instant access, Christ-followers must be vigilant to maintain purity. Good intentions are not enough. Firm resolve evaporates quickly. The best protection is to adopt a risk-adverse lifestyle before the onslaught of temptation. This may include spiritual disciplines, nurturing healthy relationships, and transparency with an accountability partner (Matthew 5:27-30).

The lure of power is pernicious and often unrecognized. In some church and workplace cultures the display of authority is discouraged. Still, leaders have considerable influence. This is not wrong, but it requires watchfulness. The proper use of power, as ordained by God, is to bless and serve. Anyone entrusted with authority must ceaselessly set aside the perks of this privilege and concentrate, instead, on humble service (Luke 22:24-27).

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (Matthew 6:13).

Pastor Warren

Witness In The Workplace

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:19:11 GMT

Sunday, March 20, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Witness in the Workplace

How can we share the good news about Jesus in our workplace?

First of all, we listen. We are attentive to words. We pay attention to mood, appearance, and actions. We look for cues that indicate joy, hope, anxiety, fear, or anger. We prompt people to tell their stories. In whatever ways we can, we get to know people.

We are actively helpful. In our work we strive for excellence, knowing that good work is a testimony of God’s grace. Over and above this, we endeavor to help customers and coworkers with “extra” measures of helpfulness, serving them in every way possible.

At times, we bear with people. Whether with annoying quirks, demeaning criticism, or hurtful impositions, our character will be tested in the workplace. When we respond with patience and forbearance, our witness becomes believable.

By these practices, we open the way to share the word of God. We may offer a word of comfort. We may encourage a good endeavor. We may affirm things that are good and true. We may share some of our own story. Over time, we share the story of Jesus.

When we engage people in these ways, we scatter the seed of the gospel (Mark 4:3-8,14). The seed will be watered by other Christ-followers (1 Corinthians 3:6). And God will make the seed of our witness in good soil germinate, grow, and produce fruit that leads to eternal life.

That is the joy of sharing good news at work.

Pastor Warren

Enough

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 20:18:19 GMT

Sunday, March 13, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Enough

Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity, advocated “enough” as a biblical standard of living.

The formative revelation for living with enough is God’s provision of manna, with the instruction: “The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day" (Exodus 16:4).

Proverbs picks up the theme in a prayer: “give me only my daily bread" (30:8 ESV). Jesus includes this phrase in a prayer for disciples: “Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

When Jesus sends out disciples to preach, his instructions are radically minimalist: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts" (Mark 6:8).

We can dare such things because our Heavenly Father meets our needs. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

With needs met, we can live generously. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:6-15).

We can be content with full confidence in God. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:10-20;

1 Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5-6).

Taking God at his (sure and recurring) word, we can intentionally live simply — free to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully.

Pastor Warren

One Tenth

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 21:05:40 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk March 3, 2022

One tenth

Jesus talked a lot about money because he wanted to change hearts. “For where your treasure is,” he said, “there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Jesus expected his disciples to give much—in fact, to give everything (Matthew 12:41-44; 19:16-22, 27-29). As a place to start, a tithe is helpful.

A tithe (literally, one tenth) acknowledges that all of our money comes from God (Deuteronomy 26:10).

We can say this in words, of course; but by the action of giving 10% of our earnings to God, we declare that we mean what we say.

The Old Testament practice was to bring tithes to the temple (Deuteronomy 26:2). For us, the equivalent would be to give our whole tithe to our home church.

Some people spread their tithe, a little here and a little there, with some to their home church. However, if God gives us the privilege of managing 90% of the money entrusted to us, should we also insist on directing the 10% we specially give for God?

Some people withhold (or designate) their tithe as a way of “voting” for or against someone or something in the church. Our tithe is simply and solely to be a declaration to God: “Everything I have belongs to you.”

We want our hearts to be fully devoted to God. So, we place our treasure, beginning with a tithe, in God’s hands. Then we find ways to give more, even to give everything.

Pastor Warren

Clean Up Your Mess

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 14:47:58 GMT

Sunday, February 27, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Clean up Your Mess

As our daughters were growing up, we had a standing rule before mealtimes: clean up your mess. We expected our daughters to take responsibility to clean up the “messes” created by their activities.

This is also a good rule for the church.

Messes in the church are normal and generally good (Acts 6:1-7; 15:1-21, 36-41). Different viewpoints and contending ideas are “grist” for vigorous exchanges that culminate in good direction and action plans.

However, some messes will degenerate into hurtful speech and difficult behaviors. All of us are marred by sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)—and destructive messes inevitably ensue.

A church that is actively reclaiming “those who are sick” (Mark 2:17) may have a higher proportion of difficult people and, for this (good) reason, even greater potential for debilitating messes.

In a smaller church, because everyone knows everyone else, any mess (small or large) is like a rock thrown into a pond. The ripples wash over everyone and the whole church is disturbed.

A good summary of a biblical and balanced approach to cleaning up messes has been articulated by the Mennonite Church USA, a faith community with a longstanding commitment to pursuing peace. The document, Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love (also available in Spanish), is a valuable resource for responsible and considerate ways to deal with difficult behavior.

But the first step is a decision not to sidestep or delay action. Clean up your mess!

Pastor Warren

Jesus, On Prayer

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:55:30 GMT

Sunday, February 20, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Jesus, on Prayer

Have you ever wondered what prompted Jesus’ already devout disciples to ask, “Lord, teach us to pray?”

The disciples observed that Jesus would go out to lonely places, sometimes all night, to pray. Invariably when Jesus ate, they saw that he prayed, thanking God for the food.

They knew that Jesus prayed when he was grateful. He prayed for children. He prayed when he was distressed, as in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed when he was concerned for someone, as when he interceded for Peter that his faith might not fail.

Listening to Jesus, the disciples heard prayers of all kinds: long, short, formal (as at the last supper), and intense.

The disciples were at his side, gaping at a withered fig tree, when Jesus made an extraordinary claim about prayer—“Whatever you ask you will receive!” In his teaching, Jesus qualified this in two ways, first, by insisting that prayers be in his name (that is, in accord with his character and mission) and, second, that they be “in faith.” Yet even a man who said, “I believe, help my unbelief,” evidently had enough faith, because his son was healed.

Jesus taught that prayers should not be ostentatious, should be prayed in a spirit of forgiveness and unworthiness, should be persistent but not verbose, should encompass those who mistreat us, even enemies, and should be prayed in confidence of God’s love and concern.

By word and example, Jesus commended prayer like this to his disciples—and to us.

Pastor Warren

High Privilege

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:19:14 GMT

Sunday, February 13, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

High Privilege

My daily devotional journey began with the Moravian Daily Texts . Probably the most widely-read devotional guide in the world, there are scripture readings, hymn stanzas, two verses, and a prayer for each day. Bible readings move through the psalms in a year and the rest of the Bible in two years. With the Daily Texts, my devotional time is firmly established in God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12).

I also read from A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer . These daily meditations are drawn from Bonhoeffer’s letters, books, and sermons. Through two millennia, mature believers have applied biblical truth in their context with wisdom that resonates in every age (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). Like other Christian devotional classics, Bonhoeffer’s insights challenge me to a deeper walk with Christ.

Recently, I have added a third book, Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day . Written by a pastor who emerged through the rock band scene to become a Christ-follower and church planter, Friar Tuck offers a daily “gospel riff” in a compact, straight-talking, and hard-hitting devotional. Every day Friar Tuck relentlessly presses me to decide for Christ (Joshua 24:15).

With these devotional readings, I start each day with the bedrock of Scripture, the wisdom of the ages, and a call to decision—a practice that, more often than not, draws me into the presence and counsel of Jesus (Deuteronomy 4:7; Jeremiah 23:18,22; Revelation 3:20).

In your devotional patterns, as they develop, you share in this high privilege.

Pastor Warren

Friends

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 20:47:51 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

Friends

In the Old Testament, God spoke to exceptional individuals, like Moses, “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11; Psalm 27:8; James 2:23).

Now this closeness is open to all Christ-followers. “I no longer call you servants,” Jesus says. “Instead, I have called you friends . . .” (John 15:15-16).

There is no formula for friendship with Jesus. Yet there are ways to deeper communion, akin to conversation between close friends (Revelation 3:20).

To “talk” with Jesus, we renew our mind with his Word (John 15:7-11; Romans 12:2). We interact with mature believers, directly and in books, especially classics, and songs (Ephesians 5:19). We take steps of faith and obedience (John 15:14; James 1:22-25). We pray (Philippians 4:6).

And Jesus answers, commonly by action, counsel from a friend, a passage from Scripture, insight from a book or song, or by something we observe in nature (Jeremiah 1:11-12).

This communication is both objective, always in accord with the Bible, and subjective—with a distinctive “feel” that is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

Often, Jesus will communicate in multiple ways, confirming an initial sense of what we have heard, so that we can proceed in faith (James 1:6-8).

Even with digital communication, face-to-face conversation between friends is still best. And intimate conversation with Jesus, best of all.

Pastor Warren

Intangibles

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:39:21 GMT

Sunday, January 30, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Intangibles

Most churches in America are small. Yet big churches attract the most people and money. What assets, then, does a small church pastor have to use?

Clearly, there are advantages in having human and material resources. Surprisingly, there is another set of advantages that come with “intangible” resources.

A pastor can build on a sense of call—the assurance of being chosen by God for a particular role and place. When distressed by comparisons or outcomes, the pastor can persevere with purpose in this appointment by God

(2 Timothy 1:6-7; John 15:16).

Amid challenges, character is essential. To embrace adversity, to pray through reverses, to persevere despite setbacks—all of this requires the intangible asset of character (Acts 11:24).

To buck fads and trends, a “contrarian” perspective is helpful. A pastor can set aside conventional wisdom, recognize “desirable” difficulties, prayerfully discern the “new thing” that God is doing, and boldly step out in untried directions (Isaiah 43:19).

A pastor can be creative. God accomplishes extraordinary things with what people have in their hands—whether staff, stones, or sack lunch (Exodus 4:2; 1 Samuel 17:40; John 6:9). Human resourcefulness suffused with divine power is the “stuff” of miracles.

None of these assets are tangible ones, and they are available to all Christ-followers. Yet small church pastors have the advantage of necessity and, at times, desperation. So, take stock of the intangibles available to you, and press ahead in faith (James 2:5).

Desirable difficulties is a phrase from Malcolm Gladwell's book, David and Goliath, pages 165-193.

Pastor Warren

Vision

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 18:46:23 GMT

Sunday, January 23, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Vision

God delights in stirring our imaginations with glimpses of the future. As we pay attention, these insights can coalesce into a vision of what God wants to do.

Vision creates a mental snapshot of a particular time in the future. This is what we see. This is what we can become. This is what can be accomplished.

To discern vision, we ask key questions, each from a different vantage point:

• What is God doing now?

In Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby reminds us that God is always at work. When we look for what God is already doing, taking care to notice even small beginnings, we can join in this unfolding work (Zechariah 4:10; Mark 4:30-32).

• What has God done before that could be renewed in our day?

Our Redeemer God restores what has been lost and marred. God rejoices in turnaround miracles. What might this great God do, once again (Ezekiel 37:1-14; Habakkuk 3:2; Psalm 126:4)?

• What “new thing” could God do?

When earlier vision has collapsed, the Spirit delights to reveal a “new thing” that God desires to do. Amid setbacks, God may want to announce a new thing before it springs into being (Amos 3:7; Isaiah 42:9).

As we ask such questions the word of the Lord will come to us, as it did to Jeremiah, saying, “What do you see?” And when we see well, God will watch over his word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:11-12).

Pastor Warren

Deep Redemption

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 00:30:14 GMT

Sunday, January 16, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Deep Redemption

In ministry (as in life) bad things happen. We may encounter disruptions, accusations, scuttlebutt, sabotage, betrayal, and even termination.

At these times, a deadly enemy attacks. “He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.” (Psalm 17:9-12; 1 Peter 5:8)

Succumbing to his guile, we blame others for our distress. In anger we retaliate. Or mired in resentment, we distance ourselves from detractors and adversaries.

To focus our animosity on people is a mistake. The larger purposes of God are at work. Writing in a Nazi prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer described the epicenter of his faith: “I must be able to know for certain that I am in God’s hands, not in those of people.”

In fact, God is working for our good—refining, purifying, winnowing, and pruning. (Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; John 15:1-2) As Bonhoeffer also writes, God always leads us “along the best and straightest paths to holiness.”

Amid distress, we often experience unforeseen intimacy with our Father God. He meets us, comforts us, instructs us, and may “call” us to new endeavors.

We are forgiven, changed, and comforted. Strengthened by this deep redemption, we can bear the burden of hurtful speech and difficult behavior, overcome evil with good and, and as far as it depends on us, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18, 21)

In the day of calamity, the Lord rescues us because he delights in us. (Psalm 18:18-19)

Pastor Warren

Wintertime

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 19:02:05 GMT

Sunday, January 9, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Wintertime

Despite record snowfalls and cold this year in the eastern U.S., I want to extol the value of winter—in particular, of a dormant season in the year and, from time to time, in life.

In creation, God set the earth to revolve around the sun and tilted its axis by 23.5 degrees. Together, these two phenomena cause seasonal change nearly everywhere in the world.

By God’s design, there are also seasons in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1). God provides what we need for life and sustenance in every season (Jeremiah 5:24; Matthew 5:44-45). And knowing our need for purpose and meaning, God enables us to bear fruit "in season” (Psalm 1:3).

Then we come to a rigorous and seemingly unproductive season in life.

As farmers know, a dormant season is essential for good crops. Nutrients in the soil are replenished; the water table is restored by rain and snow; and cold temperatures kill insect pests. The dormant season is as purposeful as the planting, growing, and harvest seasons.

Yes, this season may be difficult. But wintertime allows for rest, renewal, reflection and, sometimes, for refinement and refocus. As in nature, a dormant season in life is necessary preparation for greater productivity (John 15:2).

In every season, God’s care for us is good and complete. So, in the wintertime, be encouraged: we are being made ready to proclaim God's goodness by our words and actions "in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Pastor Warren

Jesus, The Life-Changer

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 17:21:16 GMT

Sunday, January 2, 2022 From the Pastor’s Desk

Jesus, the Life changer

To follow Jesus, we abandon any attempt to make something of ourselves. On our own, we cannot be good or virtuous. Instead, we trust Jesus to form himself in us. (Gal. 4:19) Though not necessarily in the ways, at the pace, or to the extent we prefer, we will be changed. (2 Cor. 3:18) And there are certain traits and practices we can anticipate.

Jesus will mend our heart and bind up our wounds. (Ps. 147:3) He will instill traits like gentleness, honesty, modesty, and humility. (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:1-5:20; Col. 3:12) He will recalibrate our minds for faith, hope, and love—even for those who insult, accuse, and mistreat us. (Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 13:13; Mt. 5:11)

Jesus will call us to a chaste single life. (1 Cor. 7:25-35) Or ask us to embrace marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. (Mt. 19:4-6) In our relational calling, he will train us in respect, sacrificial love, and purposeful investment within our household. (Eph. 5:21-6:4)

Jesus will repurpose our time, abilities, and money. In response to broken humanity near and far, he will stir us to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully. (Rom. 12:1-8)

Amid diversity and division, Jesus will insist on consistent concern for all. He will remind us to practice civility and forbearance. When conflicts arise, he will urge us to seek justice, reconciliation, and peace. (Micah 6:8; Mt. 5:23-24; Rom. 12:17-21)

Jesus is the life-changer, not us. (Col. 1:27)

Still, our partnership is essential. As we pursue a vital relationship with Jesus, open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit, and participate in the community of faith, we will be changed to live, speak, serve, and love like Jesus. (1 Jn. 3:2)

Pastor Warren

Why?

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 19:33:02 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

January 1 is a chance to make a fresh start. Typically, at the start of the year, people determine to improve their lives by healthier habits, better relationships, improved finances, or personal goals.

From our own experience, we know that many people falter in these good intentions. For anyone who follows Jesus, I would suggest that the likelihood of success improves significantly when fresh resolves, at any time of year, align with the overall purpose of our life.

We see this, over and over, in the Bible. Abraham organized his life around the promise of God to “inherit the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1-2). Despite setbacks, Joseph persisted toward a destiny of leadership (Genesis 37:5-11).

Moses pushed through stiff opposition to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7 10). David sought to do the will of God as shepherd of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13; Acts 13:22). Isaiah obeyed the call to always speak at the Lord’s command (Isaiah 6:8).

Peter embraced Jesu s’ charge to shepherd the flock of God (John 21:15 17; 1 Peter 5:1 3). Paul never wavered from his ambition to preach the gospel (Philippians 3:10; Ephesians 3:7 13). He urged Timothy to persist in the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

The question “Why?” enables us to assess the importance, priority, and motivations of our short term aims. When we are clear about why we are taking steps to change, these efforts can be enfolded into the deeper, sustaining motivations of our life.

In this way, at every point of recalibration, we choose to fulfill God’s purpose for us (Ephesians 2:10). We keep our focus on Jesus so that His will is done on earth (Matthew 6:10).

Pastor Warren

Wonder

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 21:18:43 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

In an outpouring of joy and praise, Mary, the expectant mother of the long promised Messiah, communicates her amazement and awe in words that have become one of the great, enduring songs of the church (Luke 1:46-55).

In her song Mary first reflects on the great mercy of God to her personally for this unprecedented honor (verses 46-49). She rejoices: “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Then Mary widens the lens of her praise to encompass God’s mercy for all humankind, from generation to generation, through the whole of history (verse 50). God could have given up on humankind at the time Adam and Eve first disobeyed. Instead, God immediately shifted to a plan to rescue and redeem the human race (Genesis 3:15; Lamentations 3:22-23).

Mary reflects next on the unexpected ways God exercises his power (verses 51-53). Most often, power is associated with kings and parliaments, armies and armaments, money and media. But, Mary understood that God’s power is an entirely different kind (Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29). God works through people with humble, contrite, and trusting hearts (Psalm 53:16-17).

Finally, Mary perceived that her son, Jesus, was the culmination of God’s plan of redemption and salvation (verses 54-55). The plan threads through promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-2), King David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) and all God’s people (Isaiah 9:6 7). With inspired foresight, Mary understood that no matter how many promises God has made, they would all be fulfilled by the child in her womb (2 Corinthians 1:20).

For Mary, and for us, the wonder of Jesus is that he will never give up on humankind or on any one individual. He accomplishes his purposes in and through people who trust in him with humble hearts. And by his life, death, and resurrection Jesus fulfills every one of God’s promises.

Pastor Warren

Joy!

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 22:17:43 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

During the Christmas season, we celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Jesus. We rejoice in Biblical promises of hope, peace, and love with a measure of understanding, but joy is elusive.

Whether or not we can describe this phenomenon we can anticipate joy in relationship with Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Joy In Forgiveness.

When we do wrong, we incur what the Bible calls “guilt” (John 15:22; James 2:10). This may be an emotion of remorse or

shame. Guilt is also an objective spiritual barrier that separates us from Jesus. When we ask Jesus to forgive our sin, this guilt is removed (Romans 8:1-4). As C. S. Lewis describes our internal response, we are surprised by joy.

Joy In Wonder.

Because Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again to live among us now he can, and does, break into our lives to do great and wonderful things. When this occurs, we experience joy, sometimes more than we can contain (Luke 1:14 15, 44, 58; 10:17; 24:52).

Joy In Suffering.

Even in suffering, we can feel joy in the comforting presence of Jesus. At times, we can look back and rejoice in good outcomes that have come through difficulties (Romans 5:3 5; James 1:2 4).

Joy may be the greatest of all motivations to talk about Jesus (Luke 2:16 20). As we experience joy, we are privileged to tell others: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10)

Pastor Warren

Good News Pageantry

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 20:46:14 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

At this time of year churches mobilize musicians, singers, actors, artists, and readers for Christmas pageantry. The purpose of this recurring, seasonal endeavor is t o announce wondrous good news: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5).

God was born human (John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11).

If Jesus had come to earth as God alone, he could not have shared the limitations of human experience. To be born human and no more, he could not have shattered those limitations.

Only one born with a divine life of infinite value could compensate by his death for the enormity of human sin. Only a human, dying in our place, could bear the punishment for all humankind.

It took the power of an indestructible life for Jesus to be raised from the dead (Hebrews 7:16). It required his bodily resurrection to open the way for every human who believes to receive eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:14-21).

At Christmas we sing, enact, and declare the goo d news that our incarnate Savior is alive, transforming the world by the power of his redeeming love.

And though this message rings true all year long, particularly in this season we invite persons broken by sin and battered by human ills to believe the good news: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Pastor Warren

A Gift Of Hope

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 15:34:43 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

The Hebrew word for hope literally means a “rope." As this picture word depicts, with hope we hold tightly to our faith in God. With hope, we sustain our grip on motivation, encouragement, stamina, and expectation.

This Christmas, you can give the gift of hope to our church fellowship, named years ago with the promise of hope embedded in our name: Bright Hope Fellowship.

Seven years ago, a disheartened sister BIC church in Kansas, named New Trail Fellowship, inspired by Daniel (Daniel 10:2,12), committed themselves to 21 days of sustained prayer. Using prayers drawn from Scripture, they prayed for their church for three full weeks. Over this time, people came to Christ, several were healed, some were reconciled, and new people came to worship. Most significantly, the church was renewed in hope!

Here a t Bright Hope, we are doubling the length of that prayer campaign to 42 days, two extra from a biblical 40 (in case we miss one or two). In this way we are seeking God for key advances for the health, strength, and growth of our church.

We are praying ten biblical prayers, day by day, to intercede for Bright Hope. In this way, we can “pray continually”

(1 Thessalonians 5:1) “to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).

By your purposeful prayers, God will stir hope and by this “rope” pull Bright Hope forward to a fresh grip on faith, hope, and love!

Pastor Warren

Will Work For God

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:10:26 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

Will Work!

In Every Good Endeavor, Tim Keller reminds us that work is indispensable to meaningful human life. In rhythm with rest, we need to work to thrive emotionally, physically, and spiritually. How then do we cope with a shift in the parameters of our work? This may be as ordinary as retirement, as tragic as an accident or illness, or as confusing as a vocational setback.

Whatever the cause, Dietrich Bonhoeffer gained helpful insight while in a Nazi prison: "The great thing is to stick to what one still has and can do there is still plenty left and not to be dominated by the thought of what one cannot do, and by feelings of resentment and discontent."

Bonhoeffer understood that altered circumstances do not negate the promises of God. We are still God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). As before, God is able to provide what we need, “so that by always having enough of everything, [we] may share abundantly in every good work (Philippians 4:12-13, 2 Corinthians 9:8).

And we can find ways to use our gifts “to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:10). Though conditions change, we can be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord [our] labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Pastor Warren

Rooting For Bright Hope - Prayer

brighthopemediagroup@gmail.com — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 20:41:35 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

This month we are Rooting for Bright Hope. We are focusing on prayer, action, and partnership as practical ways we can help Bright Hope to grow and flourish. Our first initiative is to pray. To help us to focus on requests that will be most helpful to Bright Hope at this time, we have taken prayers that people are already praying and shaped them into ten “ prayers - ten key requests for the rule of Jesus to advance among us at Bright Hope. There was a printed list of the ten prayers in the bulletin on Sunday. If you missed this handout, the list will be enclosed in the bulletin this coming Sunday, November 14. A digital copy of the list is also available here: Kingdom Prayers For Bright Hope. As a daily reminder, we will send out one of these prayers by email every morning for the next 40 days (plus two). Please contact our church office at office@bhbic.com to be added to the distribution list. If this creates too much clutter in your inbox, just let us know and we will promptly cease and desist. Use these ten prayers, day by day, to pray for Bright Hope. Our plan is to mobilize many, if not all, of us to pray for Bright Hope for 40 days, from November

7 to December 18 (with two extra days in case we miss one or two). In this way, we can pray continually “to him who

is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (1 Thessalonians 5:1 Ephesians 3:20). And because these prayers are based on specific promises in the Bible, we can look forward to what God is going to do as we pray (Psalms 5:3)!

Pastor Warren

Jesus At Prayer

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 18:44:27 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

Jesus at Prayer

Have you ever wondered what prompted Jesus ’ already devout disciples to ask, “Lord, teach us to pray?” The disciples observed that Jesus would go out to lonely places, sometimes all night, to pray. Invariably when Jesus ate, they saw that he prayed, thanking God for the food. They knew that Jesus prayed when he was grateful. He prayed for children. He prayed when he was distressed, as in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed when he was concerned for someone, as when he interceded for Peter that his faith might not fail. Listening to Jesus, the disciples heard prayers of all kinds: long, short, formal (as at the last supper), and intense. The disciples were at his side, gaping at a withered fig tree, when Jesus made an extraordinary claim about prayer—“Whatever you ask you will receive!” In his teaching, Jesus qualified this in two ways, first, by insisting that prayers be in his name (that is, in accord with his character and mission) and, second, that they be “in faith.” Yet even a man who said, “I believe, help my unbelief,” evidently had enough faith, because his son was healed. Jesus taught that prayers should not be ostentatious, should be prayed in a spirit of forgiveness and unworthiness, should be persistent but not verbose, should encompass those who mistreat us, even enemies, and should be prayed in confidence of God’s love and concern.

By word and example, Jesus commended prayer like this to his disciples—and to us.

Pastor Warren

A Changed Heart

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 18:24:20 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

A Changed Heart

In J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy, Lord of the Rings, the realms of Middle-earth are threatened by the Dark Lord Sauron. One Ring, the ultimate weapon, eludes Sauron and can thwart his domination of Middle-earth.

To counter this threat, a diverse company of allies determine that the Ring must be destroyed by throwing it into the flames of Mount Doom. A band of nine traveling companions is selected—a dwarf, an elf, two men, a wizard, and four hobbits. With apparent disregard for the prowess of others, Frodo, a hobbit, is appointed ring-bearer.

Frodo plaintively asks Gandalf, the Christ-figure in the narrative, “Why was I chosen?" The wizard replies, “Such questions cannot be answered. You may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess: not for power or wisdom, at any rate. But you have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have."

Like Frodo, we recognize our limitations, see the obstacles, and question our fitness for an outsized mission. In such circumstances, the Bible points us to an intangible asset available to every Christ-follower.

In the common narrative, underdogs prevail because of an indomitable heart.

In the realm of faith, unconquerable strength comes from a heart changed and shaped by Jesus.

All who come to faith in Christ have a radical transplant at the core of their being, a new heart from God (Ezek. 36:26). This new heart, responsive to the Holy Spirit, opens the way to a changed life.

Though not necessarily in the ways, at the pace, or to the extent we prefer, Jesus binds up our wounds. He ignites our fervor. He instills traits like gentleness, honesty, modesty, faith, hope, and humility. He repurposes our time, abilities, and money. He stirs us to love boldly and serve joyfully.

All of this is vital for anyone entrusted with the care of others. Jesus says plainly: “A student when fully taught will be like his teacher” (Lk. 6:40).

Under the weight of this responsibility, we pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus, open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit, and “walk in the light” as Jesus forms himself in us (1 Jn. 1:7; Gal. 4: 19). In this way, our heart is changed and the Church is renewed.

Everything builds on a changed heart.

Pastor Warren

Biblical Underdogs - Paul

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 18:01:31 GMT

From the Pastor’s Desk

Paul

When we think of underdogs, biblical heroes like David, Gideon, and Moses come to mind. We do not normally think of the apostle Paul as an underdog. Paul w as esteemed in the early church. His authority was respected. The churches he had established rejoiced in his apostolic ministry, except at Corinth where self designated “super apostles accused Paul of being “weak” and “his speech of no account” (2 Corinthians 10:10, ESV). These detractors disputed Paul’s authority and managed to turn the Corinthian church against him. Like Paul, we can be strong i n some aspects of life and an “underdog in others. In certain situations or relationships, we can be weak and feel inadequate. At these points, Paul’s response to disrespect at Corinth is helpful. Paul defends his apostleship in an unexpected way. He alludes to his credentials, but does not cite them (2 Corinthians 10:22). Nor does he enumerate his accomplishments. Instead, Paul lists hardships that reveal his weakness (2 Corinthians 11:23 30). Paul takes the accusation of weakness and flips it into decisive proof of his apostleship. His weakness, Paul contends, is the core argument

for the authenticity of his apostolic calling. What is the logic in this?! Paul frames his defense with this question and assertion: “Are they servants of Christ? I am more” (2 Corinthians 11:23). Jesus Christ is the measure of authentic apostleship; and because his experience is like that of Jesus, Paul insists, he is a true apostle. The overarching theme of the New Testament is the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The defeat of execution is, at one and the same time, a cosmic triumph (Philippians 2:8 11).

For Jesus, and for all who follow him, weakness and strength come together for the salvation of

the world. Paul puts this conundrum into a single sentence as a life aim: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, be coming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10). A wood block on my desk reminds me: “Faith

makes things possible, not easy.” Victories do not necessarily come without hardship, but against overwhelming odds, underdogs can triumph!

Pastor Warren

Biblical Underdogs - Moses

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 18:04:25 GMT

God called Moses, a shepherd at the time, to set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt. So, Moses took his wife and sons and went back to Egypt with the staff of God in his hand (Ex. 4:20).

Moses was thrust into fierce combat on two fronts: against Egypt, a major world power, and against the gods of Egypt who, it was thought, controlled all nature to assure the might of the nation.

Moses stretched out his staff, a symbol of the authority of the Lord Almighty, and one Egyptian god after another was defeated. With ten mighty acts of judgment and justice, the Lord God humiliated the Egyptian gods and crushed Egyptian power.

Today, we contend with a different kind of false gods: the spirit of the age, the skewed values of our time, the pervasive emphases on good things taken to excess—all of which erode and undermine faith in Christ. Like Moses, we also fight against the evil forces that exploit these false gods.

As the underdogs in this fight, we can only prevail by the authority of the Lord God Almighty, now fully invested in Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11); Colossians 2:9-10).

When we fill our minds with biblical truth, we are protected against the lies and half-truths of our culture (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 John 2:14). For all who follow Jesus, ultimate truth is found in the Bible.

We need other Christians, the Church, to rightly interpret the Word of God (Acts 8:30-31). We call this “orthodoxy”—the essential beliefs common to nearly all Christians in all places and at all times.

We rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:12-14), not new truth, something in addition to the Bible, but biblical truth quickened to us directly so the Bible “comes alive.”

When we take full advantage of these assets (Ephesians 6:10-20), we can pray, speak, and act with the power and authority of Jesus. In his Name, we can resist and overcome the false gods and misplaced priorities in our culture, just like Moses did in Egypt with “the staff of God” in his hand.

Pastor Warren

Biblical Underdogs - Gideon

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 14:51:02 GMT

God performs mighty works in ways that confound our expectations. When we trust him, he saves by many or few, by strong or weak, by much or little. When we first meet Gideon, he is a wimp, as frightened as everyone else in Israel. Yet an angel greets him: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Incredulous, Gideon requests a sign. He sets out meat and bread for the angel messenger, and a burst of flame consumes the food. In a surge of holy confidence, Gideon blows a trumpet to summon Israelite fighters to repel Midianite marauders massed in a valley in Israelite territory. Sure that the Israelites will be hopelessly outnumbered, Gideon asks for two more signs: a sheepskin wet with dew on a dry threshing floor and, the next morning, a dry fleece on a wet floor. God grants both faith-building signs. When 32,000 fighters show up, God instructs Gideon to announce that anyone who trembles in fear may go home; and 22,000 men leave! God further directs Gideon to have the men drink. Most drink from hand to mouth, alert for enemies. 300 put their faces to the water, lapping like dogs, unaware of any impending danger. The odds now are suicidal. Though courageous, the 300 fighters are not proficient in military skills. The trumpets, clay pots, and torches are unconventional equipment. And Gideon still emits a trace of fear. God gives one additional sign. Gideon overhears a perime ter guard at the Median camp interpreting a dream: “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon!” Finally, Gideon’s faith is strong. Surrounding the Midianite encampment in the night, the Israelite forces blow the trumpets, shatter the pots, hold up blazing torches, and shout: “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” In terror, the Midianites slaughter one other; the few who survive flee in panic. In the challenges we face, the number of available people is not an issue. Limited skills are not an obstacle. A lack of resources is no deterrent. All God needs is our faith and trust in Jesus, and he patiently trains us even in that!

Pastor Warren

Biblical Underdogs

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 17:02:54 GMT

I am glad to fill in as your pastor in the time between Pastor Jeremy’s farewell and the arrival of your new pastor. It is a privilege for Connie and me to serve alongside you at Bright Hope through this in-between time. For the first four weeks of October we are in a sermon series on biblical underdogs: David, Gideon, Moses, and Paul. The picture we are using to depict the theme has one, lone pawn the weakest of all chess pieces contending against a full set of opposing chess pieces. In life, there are times that we face overwhelming odds challenges that are far beyond our capabilities. It may be an illness, a disability, a stressed relationship, a toxic work environment, a deep hurt, a mountain of emotional baggage, an out of control emotion, or any other stumbling block that life throws at us. The good news in every one of the four messages is that in the strength of the Lord God Almighty we can overcome and subdue giant challenges. Time and time again in the Bible, the weak triumph over the mighty. Unlikely heroes

overcome formidable foes. In this sermon series, we will be rooting for everyone one of us, who in one way or another, is an underdog striving against the odds.

Pastor Warren

Meet Our New Interim Pastor!

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 23:17:01 GMT

We are pleased to welcome Warren Hoffman as our interim pastor. He begins serving on Friday, October 1, and will serve until our new pastor is in place.

His part-time role will include preaching on Sunday mornings, leading Wednesday prayer gatherings, and assisting with leadership and pastoral care throughout the week. He will normally be in the office during the day on Tuesdays.

Warren’s ministry experience has been varied. Over the years, he has served as a youth pastor, missionary among Navajos, church planter, and bishop of our own Atlantic Conference. He served as the bi-national leader of the Brethren in Christ Church of North America 15 years. Warren currently serves as executive director of Barnabas Initiatives, a nonprofit ministry he founded in 2014 as a way to encourage and assist churches to persevere through difficulties to health and vitality. Warren lives in Elizabethtown with his wife, Connie.

Please be in prayer for Warren and Connie as they come alongside our congregation in the months ahead. Pray that their transition into this vital transitional role will go smoothly—for us and for them. Give them a warm Bright Hope welcome.

Q & A

How you and Connie met: We met at Messiah College.

Family: We have four adult daughters, three sons-in-law, and 16 grandchildren spread out in Philadelphia, Buffalo, Rochester, and Bangkok (Thailand).

Favorite color: Whatever Connie is wearing.

Favorite food: Ham loaf, lima beans, baked potato, shoofly pie, pretzels, and chocolate.

Favorite teams: Pittsburg Steelers, Golden State Warriors

Hobbies: camping, canoeing, reading

Favorite Bible verse: John 15:16

Thank You!

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:35:54 GMT

A Final Post

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ connected to Bright Hope Fellowship, I love you all. This is my final pastoral weekly letter as my time now comes to a close. What shall I say that I haven’t said already in scores of letters, hundreds and hundreds of announcements, in encouragements, meetings, sermons, teachings, and personal conversations?

I thank God for you. I thank God for the work He has been doing in you, for you, among you, and through you. Some have come to faith; some have been baptized. I have seen hurts healed. I have seen generous forgiveness and gracious generosity. I have seen lives changed by the grace, truth, and power we have in Jesus Christ. I have seen suffering, hardship, grief, travail, miraculous healing, significant spiritual growth, renewed hearts, profound answers to prayer, and what a privilege to walk with you all in journeying through the many seasons of life together. What a privilege I have had to be just one part of all the good God has been doing in your hearts, lives, and among us as a community of Jesus followers over the past years.

I thank God for your generous love for my family and myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!!! I have carried our church family in my heart, and I know a number of you carry us in yours. What a sweet, sweet privilege that we have to share in this wonderful experience of grace in being part of God’s family together. How does God love people like us? He loves us wonderfully, beautifully, magnificently, generously, compassionately, powerfully, unconditionally, faithfully, patiently, mercifully. His love walks with us through it all; His love never fails. Great is God’s faithfulness!

Throughout my time among you, I have preached Christ crucified. I have not ceased declaring to you the Good News we have together uniquely in our King, our Savior, Jesus Christ. I have not hesitated to call you out to be transformed by the mighty grace and truth we have together in King Jesus. Jesus made you new when you crossed the line of faith, and Jesus continues to make you new – that is, to make you more and more fully like Him.

Following Jesus is much more than that initial decision to surrender and trust Christ as Savior and Lord; following Jesus is about ongoing, continuing life transformation and change. Following Jesus is about God’s work in you all together, but it is also about so, so much more.

God has Bright Hope Fellowship where it is for a reason. You all together are here for them! Who are they? The broken, lost, hurting, lonely, depressed, anxious in our communities; the spiritually wayward and the seekers and those who have never darkened the door of a building where people gather to worship Jesus. You all together are certainly here to grow together in the grace of God. But you are just as importantly here together for these others, that they too may know, love, and follow Jesus. That they too may experience the healing, comfort, grace, truth, mercy, kindness, patience of God. That they may know and be transformed by the saving love, power, grace, and truth of our King Jesus – a love that is beyond mere ideas and information. Jesus’ love is a love that cannot be sequestered to just one or a couple small areas of your life. Rather, His love is a love that rescues and changes us from the inside out.

My brothers and sisters, I urge you, do not hoard the grace of God and the blessings of the Gospel. Find ways to encourage each other together and ways together to reach the ones who are not yet here. May you find ways together to love them as Christ first loved you.

With love for you all,

Pastor Jeremy

Your Full and Undivided Attention

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:32:38 GMT

When God wants to communicate to you, what does He have to do to get your attention? To really have your full and undivided attention?

If someone asked my wife and I this question when our kids were infants and toddlers, we would have wondered, “Is full and undivided attention even a thing you can have when raising small children? This person has probably never been a parent.”

We are well acquainted with busyness. Even so, we have an agenda everyday that we are committed to making happen. We need to leave at a certain time for work, but we definitely will exercise first. We have to get our daughter to dance class, but we will eat together… and we will watch our show… and we will get the kids to bed at the right time… and we will get into that book or whatever it is we have been looking forward to all day. You could say that we have a resolve to see our agenda done.

But as busy as we are, we know the importance of relationship. Your significant other or your child really needs to connect with you. So, you make it happen. Sometimes, you do this by making it an item on your agenda. But plenty of other times, you allow your agenda to be modified, and sometimes even derailed, because you love them.

King Jesus loves you. How open are you to allowing Jesus to modify your agenda? Or even derail it? I want to encourage you to let the love of Jesus in. Jesus desires you. He wants you to thrive. And if you really want to thrive and flourish, then pray as Jesus teaches us to pray. “Lord, Your will be done.” Start with Jesus, and as Jesus allows, begin fitting in some agenda items you brought to the table. The life that thrives is the life whose agenda is 100% surrendered to Jesus, all the time.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Back To School

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 17:46:02 GMT

Back. To. School. This week and next week, my kids and students across the country return to class. A few students are so excited and ready for school to start. A number of students feel like school is “jail,” wishing their whole life could be summer vacation. Many, perhaps most students, fall somewhere between on the spectrum, simply recognizing and accepting that their reality includes full-time learning once again.

While the pandemic has been hard on many, the impact on students has been high, especially students who have different needs and abilities, as the online and remote approach to learning was not a workable solution for them. And even for those who were able to be mostly face-to-face, the majority of those, especially in the secondary grades, lived with great restriction and isolation. If they couldn’t hug their friends or be in those places of close contact, that simply did not meet their emotional and social needs, producing a peculiar but very real experience of isolation and apartness.

We do not know exactly what the 2021-2022 school year will be like. We know what they are telling us today. Our educators and leaders have been in a really hard position, more so than typical non-pandemic times. Christ is our real and only hope; Christ alone heals.

Pray for healing and an end to the realities being experienced with varying levels of severity around the globe, especially as it relates to deadly viruses. Pray for leaders at all levels – including teachers and principals and superintendents – as they work with professionals, experts, leaders, parents, communities, and above all, with students – in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous time.

I urge and encourage each of you to be totally open and surrendered to Christ as you seek to obey Him in these times. May He give us the grace we need to shine for Him and to persevere in the critical mission and purposes He has given us to fulfill together.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Healing From Sin

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:59:32 GMT

When you are sick, you want to be well. The more your sickness hurts, limits, or distresses you, the more you long to be back on your feet again. Jesus wants you to experience the real and substantial healing that only He can give. In fact, healing is one of the major reasons people sought out Jesus when He walked the earth.

Have you experienced the healing grace of King Jesus? If so, how? When? Jesus heals bodies. He did so while here on earth, and God continues to work both through natural and supernatural means to bring healing even today. Jesus heals relationships. He forgave us, and in so doing equips and empowers us to forgive. He loves us and teaches us how to love more fully and adequately. Jesus heals minds and hearts. Jesus heals our battered inner souls, drowning the weight of our anger, anxiety, and fear in the ocean of his peace. Jesus heals us by being with us and among us. Even now, as his followers, we experience God’s own presence through the Holy Spirit.

Our world is very sick, and King Jesus Himself is the good news I bring. I want you to know Christ and the power of His resurrection! I want you to experience the full and abundant life that can only be found in Jesus.

If you haven’t already, today is the day to turn to Christ! Believe that He is who He said He is; Repent of your ways; and Follow Jesus today! Those of you who are already following Jesus, press further into Christ. Nothing can compare to knowing Jesus Christ our Lord!! (I really encourage you all to check out Philippians 3). May you all experience greater and greater healing in the arms of our Lord and Savior, King Jesus!

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

A Fruitful Life

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 23:24:15 GMT

Summer is growing season. Growth changes the landscape. How has King Jesus been changing the landscape of your life? Much of the year, the fields surrounding the church are bare, or are growing crops that for a good bit of the time are only a few feet high. But today, the corn is matured. I see the fields with stalks well over 6 feet high. The seeds planted have borne fruit.

My neighbors love gardening and do a good job with it. Earlier this year, they kindly shared a gargantuan zucchini they had grown. A delicious zucchini, just one of several from a plant that grew initially from just a seed.

At the end of your days, you and God will be looking back together over your life. What will you see? What fruit is your life producing? Fruit is seen both in your character as well as in your actions, relationships, habits, and priorities. Sometimes, you may see kindness and generosity, love and sacrifice. Other times you may see laziness and gluttony, selfishness and pleasure-seeking. Above all, God is looking for the seed of His Word that He has sown. How is the good news we have in Jesus shaping you these days? How are Jesus’ words from Genesis through Revelation guiding and framing your thoughts, desires, and actions as you think about and engage with what is happening in your world?

May your life be filled with the abundance that can only be found in King Jesus. This week, as it says in Psalm 34:8, may you, “…taste and see that the LORD is good!” (ESV) If you don’t know where to start, I encourage you, open up to Psalm 34, and let Christ speak to you.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Back to School

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:05:10 GMT

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Knowing the Main Thing

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:01:54 GMT

Summer is already rolling towards its end. The more seasons we live, the more quickly they all seem to fly by. Time is precious. In our younger days, so many of us have an attitude of heart that says to our souls, “I’m invincible,” or, “I have forever to live.” In those years, it is so typical for us to live only for today.

But as we mature, our bodies need increasing and new kinds of care. We slowly begin to realize we are not quite as invincible as we had once felt or hoped. Inevitably, we begin sensing how limited our time is.

God’s good friend, Moses, only began his most significant life’s work when he was 80 years old. For the next 40 years, as Moses walked with God, he blazed a new trail in history, leading millions out of slavery into the wilderness, that they might turn from the gods of their hearts to the one true God, that they might find their identity not primarily in their past (slaves in Egypt) or even in their present circumstances or experiences (pilgrims in the desert), but rather as people compassionately led and radically loved by the King of kings, by God himself.

Moses was such a busy, busy man. There is this amazingly precious prayer of his, a prayer inspired by the Holy Spirit, which we have in Psalm 90. In verse 12, Moses prays, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (NLT)

Moses is praying that God will help our hearts truly accept the impending reality and shortness of our days. What would you say is the “main thing” in your life? For some, the main thing is having a good and comfortable life, loving and being loved by those close to us. For some, the main thing is maximizing personal pleasure as much as we can every week, maybe even every day. What truly matters, says their heart, is how much fun I am having. For others, the main thing is “being a good person” or helping others in some fashion. There are many life goals and dreams out there.

However, for the follower of Jesus, the actual main thing is following Jesus. This is distinctly different from the other “main things” I just mentioned. While following Jesus includes loving and being loved by others, serving others, and leads to a life of deep joy, the main thing is not any of those things on their own. For us, Jesus himself is our Main Thing. We want to know Christ experientially. We want to be intimate with Christ, together with others who call on His Name. We want to be like Christ, to serve as Christ would serve, to live our lives how Jesus would choose to live them if he were in our shoes.

The wise heart is the heart that keeps the main thing, the main thing. The wise heart is the heart that aligns one’s life, passions, pursuits, values, goals, relationships, family, and more with Christ. The hallmarks of this life are worship, discipleship, community, service, and evangelism. The fruit of this life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. The priorities of this life are knowing Christ personally, walking with others and growing in Christ together, helping others know Christ, followed by the multitude of other goals and dreams and values, all of which are surrendered to and shaped by the Person, Word, and Work of Jesus.

How will you make the best use – the wisest use – of the remaining days God has given to you?

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Finding Time for God in Transit

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:48:22 GMT

How do you use your time in transit? Do you tend to be alone, or do you tend to have kids in tow when going to/from work, church, the grocery store, or to your favorite park? A normal feeling that so many share is that we have so little time, but the reality is that some of us actually fail to take advantage of the pockets of time given to us.

Over the years, my work commutes have varied quite a bit, ranging anywhere from 20 to 225 minutes during the day. Even if you are not commuting a whole lot, those little pockets of time in transit can add up. These times of transit are opportunities for us to connect with God. We can just enjoy His presence. We may choose worship, listening and joining in with some worship songs. We may have some decisions to make, and what a great opportunity to discuss those with God in prayer as we go from point A to point B. We may have a friend or family member that the Holy Spirit brings to mind, and we get to pray for them. We may have a podcast, radio, or stream where we get to hear the Bible read and proclaimed.

Our lives are busy. They are filled with distractions. And time in transit is just a great space for us, a great opportunity for us to lean into God even more, trust Him more, enjoy Him again, or even ask for help. If you have a longer distance to travel, even taking that first 5-10 minutes of time in transit to connect intentionally with God is a great opportunity.

Perhaps your only time in transit is taking a short walk outside. Again, what a great opportunity to connect with Jesus!

I encourage you to find time today to connect with King Jesus, the Lover of your soul.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Forgotten Kids

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 19:15:53 GMT

During my years teaching at-risk high schoolers in Philadelphia, one of my students got himself into trouble, to the point where he had out-of-school suspension. The boy begged our Principal to be allowed to sit quietly in the hallway, doing nothing, just outside her office all day, under constant supervision. The home lives of so many of our students were … well, hard is an understatement. Some were hungry all the time. Some were homeless. Some faced abuse (and of course the cases we knew about as a school we got the authorities involved).

The student of which I speak was not a bad kid. He seemed like such a normal kid, a good kid. You would never be able to know by looking at him what he suffered through. But his life was so hard, hard to the point that it was better and safer for him to sit in the hallway than at home during the days of that suspension.

There are forgotten kids in our communities. Unnoticed kids. Kids who face more than you can possibly imagine. They look able, capable, happy, normal, and fine when you see them down the block or out in the yard, but you may be shocked what some of them experience and face inside the walls of their home.

Pray for them. Pray for their families. They face not only the normal adversities of childhood and the teenage years, but so much more. Mental health issues have been exacerbated by the realities we have experienced these past 18 months.

Jesus loves these kids. Beyond prayer, how can you partner with Christ to help the next generation know, love, and follow Jesus? At Bright Hope Fellowship, you have these exact kind of opportunities: opportunities to join NextGen Ministry Teams. Once we provide age appropriate, energetic, and passionate ministry on a sustained weekly basis, then that reality shall open the doors of our church to families and homes filled with forgotten kids – some of whom may be facing far more than you can possibly imagine.

Pray for the Next Generation! Listen to the Holy Spirit, and as He leads, I encourage you to get involved in NextGen ministry!

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Intentional Gathering

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:39:54 GMT

I listened to a recorded interview some time ago that was given by President George W. Bush. He spoke of how he and First Lady Michele Obama found themselves often sitting next to each other at these official state funerals. Who do you see at funerals?

Families and loved ones are rightly determined to make special allowance and sacrifice to gather together at funerals. We need each other as we start that very hard and sometimes very long process of grief. We are not gathering to fulfill some civic duty, as President Bush and First Lady Obama are doing. Rather, we are gathering to love, care for, and support one another, to honor one another and to honor the loved one who has passed on. We are intentional and determined to gather, to love, and to connect.

I encourage you to make a list of the people that you think you will only be seeing at someone else’s funeral, whoever they may be. Prioritize that list according to how close they are to you and how important they are to you.

Pray over this list. Are there particular people that God wants you to be strategically intentional to get together with them or at least communicate with them before the next funeral?

Sometimes, we miss crucial opportunities to love those who are supposed to be close to us. We keep telling ourselves that we will see them, get together with them, listen to them, help them, etc. However, the reality is that unless we choose to be highly intentional and surrendered to God in this area, we may miss out on crucial opportunities to love them in the Name of Jesus.

As the Holy Spirit leads, just work on one person at a time. Do not try to “get it all done” and stress yourself out. Just pray for them. I am not telling you to have any agenda with them other than to love them in the Name of Jesus. Ask God for help as you prepare to meet them and in your time with them. And let the Holy Spirit guide and direct your time.

Who knows? God may re-invigorate a friendship or family relationship in a really positive and lifegiving way that you could have never dreamed. God may use you to uniquely bless the other person. God may use the other person to bless you in ways you did not know were possible and did not realize you needed. With God’s help and leading my friends, seize the day.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Opportunities for Summer Growth in Christ

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 15:14:00 GMT

Summer provides us this much needed opportunity to have a change of pace. Some of us simply add to all that we were already doing and find ourselves actually exhausted by the summer’s end! Others of us actually find ourselves with so much time on our hands. While we get much needed rest, we may find ourselves actually getting apathetic, perhaps not making great use of the precious days of life God has given to us.

We all have different needs. Whatever your situation and needs are, let me encourage you to take steps toward Jesus this summer. If your prayer life has been non-existent, start having real conversation with God on your own, even if it is short. You might begin with a short prayer, asking God to have mercy on your soul. You might use the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as your outline. You might simply tell God what you think. However you do it, I encourage you to address God with the respect and honor He is due and to not needlessly multiply your words. Real prayer is when you are really talking to God from your heart. God doesn’t need your religion. He wants you.

I encourage you to use the Psalms as your starter conversations with God. Psalms 13, 23, 24, 27, 32, 33, 40, 42, 63, 73, 90, 91, 119, 121, 139, 146… all 150 Psalms are good, but there is a starter list if you are looking for good starter prayers and ways to interact with God. Begin with a stanza from one of these Psalms and make it your own prayer to God, and go from there!

Let this summer be a summer where you grow closer to God. Let this summer be a time where you open up to God more and more.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Conversations and Clutter

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 17:00:14 GMT

Clearing Roadblocks to Gospel Conversations

We talk about so many things. Food. Weather. Work. Sports. Sometimes we let needed conversations – even the most important ones regarding Jesus and the Gospel – we let these slide. We don’t know how to begin. Or we don’t know what to say. Why does it feel so hard to talk about what is most important?

I suggest one big roadblock is clutter: clutter in our lives, and especially clutter in our conversations. It can be hard to “find the time” to talk about what is most important – such as following Jesus – because the reality is that we expect to fill a bit of our interactions with what is convenient to say rather than what is more helpful or meaningful to say. For so many, it is not the true lack of opportunity, but rather the ineffective use of time. Apostle Paul urges us to make the most of the limited time we have (Ephesians 5:15-17). We actually can make intentional choices to reduce clutter in our conversations by proactively giving appropriate and greater priority to conversation that is more substantial. Yes, we have so much work and responsibility. And even so, we find ways to talk with the people we love and interact with. It is conversations in these spaces where this kind of meaningful and helpful dialogue needs to grow.

Remember, however, that chit-chat itself is good in its proper place. There are a very few people I have met who have the opposite problem: they just want to dive into deep conversation right away and leave zero room for chit-chat. However, most people are wired for and do need to be able to have some chit-chat. Anyone can talk about the weather, or a hobby, or something that happened earlier that day. But when we are being intentional to create room for what is essential and meaningful, chit-chat then really serves a larger purpose, preparing the parties in the conversation for what is even better.

I would say another big roadblock is our own agenda. Sometimes we need, but often the truth is that we personally prefer the conversation or interaction to be “over” in a particular time frame. We might be concerned that if we do bring up something meaningful, we might end up interacting longer than we had planned to do so.

A third barrier can be a lack of attentiveness to or desire for Jesus. God may be providing opportunities for us to share our story, the story of His work in our lives personally, but we are unable to see because we are so distracted by so many lesser things.

Also, we can feel unable to share our story or be slow to do so because we feel we don’t have all the answers. Join the club! I don’t have all the answers either! But even in the midst of our own personal questions, what we do have is our on-going story: the reality of who Jesus is to us and what He has done and is doing in our lives.

Jesus is our life. We just want others to connect to Him. I invite you to give God more room in your life so that you can see what He is up to within you and around you, and so that you can join God in His work. May you experience God’s love even as you join God in what He is doing.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Happy Fourth Weekend!

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 16:39:45 GMT

Pray for America!

Happy Independence Day Weekend!! Wow, what a privilege we have to live in this land. So many are born into much harder and harsher times, places, and realities, facing heart breaking situations that most in our culture today only see on media or read about, if they hear about it at all. Thank God that we are not being put to death by the government because we followed Jesus in believer’s baptism. Thank God that we get to gather in worship without fear of violent groups surrounding the place to hurt and murder us while we pray and worship. Thank God, not only for providing for our needs, but also providing for so, so much more and giving us the opportunity and love to share with others. Thank you, King Jesus, for letting us live in the United States of America.

We ask, O Lord, that you would heal this land, that spiritual awakening would occur, that hearts, lives, and families will repent and find the only life that is truly life – the abundant life found only in your Son, Jesus. We ask for those in our communities who are facing some really hard times. We also ask for our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for the sake of Your Name. Lord, please act! Rescue, deliver, heal, comfort, strengthen, and provide for all of these! Give Your people boldness! And please help us and all Your people to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this hurting and broken world.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Blessings

, Pastor Jeremy

Being Deeply Rooted in Christ

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 13:55:34 GMT

I want each of you is to be deeply rooted and well-grounded in Jesus. In a recent conversation with friends, we discussed these matters. The nature of being well grounded and deeply rooted in Christ is not something that comes about automatically or instantly. When you cross the line of faith, you are certainly in Christ. But just like a newly planted sapling, your roots are not immediately deep and strong. We agreed that being deeply rooted results in a life where, more than anything else, you desire to make Christ happy for His sake. You love Jesus and want to please Him, even more so than you wish to please or even appease your closest family and friends.

The importance of being well grounded and deeply rooted in Christ is crucial in a fallen world. Sin has deeply impacted us. Sin is not an impersonal force. Rather, sin is choosing against the words, ways, and values of King Jesus. The combined effects of the sin of others over thousands of years has resulted in great harm even from the moment of our conception. Because of sin, we are born with bodies that decay and die. Because of sin, we are born selfish and with desires, tendencies, and wirings that are not the original good way that God had made us. We are still born with some capacities to love, give, forgive, persevere, etc.: these are vestiges and remnants of God’s image in us, however marred that image may be. The effects of sin are not total, but they are much more far-reaching than most are willing or prone to admit. This breaks our hearts, but it breaks God’s heart most of all.

We must be deeply rooted in Christ because in our messy world, trouble is a reality we cannot escape. Tragic loss, harsh medical realities, war, abuse, crime, starvation, bankruptcy, our own broken tendencies and bad choices – the list goes on and on: we have experienced some really hard things, and we are bound to experience more until King Jesus returns and makes all things new. When our roots in Christ are shallow, weak, malnourished, torn, diseased, or under-developed, our ability to stand strong and persevere in such adverse environments is very low.

Finally, our conversation outlined three particular areas (and here I will add a fourth) that are crucial elements of being deeply rooted and well-grounded in Jesus Christ. First is the category of faith/trust/belief that results in deep surrender to Jesus. We all exercise faith, and we all surrender our hearts to someone or something. When we are in Christ, we seek to cultivate a growing trust in and a deepening surrender to Jesus. Second is knowledge: we are called to know and grow in the knowledge of God. The primary resource God has given to us are the words of Jesus, which includes all the words from Genesis through Revelation. These God-breathed words are to shape our thinking, being, and doing. They are to shape our desires, wills, and intentions, as well as our worldview and more. These inspired words first and foremost help us connect intimately and relationally to Jesus, and they help us surrender to and walk with Jesus. Third, the frequency and regularity of our practices, pathways, and methods of authentically connecting with Jesus have a huge impact on the depth and strength of our roots. The less intentional you are in habitually cultivating a deep love relationship with Christ, the harder it will be for you to stand. The fourth element I will add here is the presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit in us. God does the heavy lifting when it comes to our walk in Christ, yet we are called to cooperate intentionally with Him.

As you think about the areas of faith in Christ, knowledge of Christ, your regular pathways of connecting to Jesus, and the person and work of the Holy Spirit, how well grounded would you say you are? No matter where you are, God’s grace is mighty enough to heal, restore, save, strengthen, and help you as you reach out to Him. Jesus loves you to the maximum.

Always. Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Celebrating Fathers

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:30:55 GMT

Celebrating Dads and Looking To Our Heavenly Father

Thanks to the teams and every partner who served with our church family over the past couple weeks, providing my family the much needed chance for some rest away together. The girls finished up their school year, then we packed up and headed nearly 700 miles south to a couple small islands off the coast of South Carolina. We had the privilege of seeing wild dolphins, egrets, ibis, ducks, pelicans, and more. Reading on the beach, playing with the kids in the pool, riding horses on a wooded trail, seeing the sun rise over the Atlantic are just a few more precious memories we were able to make together.

I want to wish a special Happy Father’s Day Weekend to all the Dads connected to our church family. Dads, thank you for your sacrifice, perseverance, prayers, love, support, and for being the hands and feet of Jesus to your family and to others. No matter whether your children are small or grown, near or far, your prayers and love continue to make a crucial and vital life-giving impact on others, especially your families.

This Sunday, we are going to celebrate together the #1 Dad of us all, our Almighty Father in Heaven. His peace is profound; His grace is amazing; His mercy deeper than the sea; His justice will triumph; His generosity beyond our imagination to comprehend; His love is better and bigger than any problem we face; His grace is truly greater than all our sin and shame. Let’s celebrate the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who walks with us and whose faithfulness cannot be overcome. He loves you to the maximum. Let His love just wash over you and change you now and also throughout the years to come.

Blessings

, Pastor Jeremy

Enjoy Creation!

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 15:25:31 GMT

The Earth Is the Lord's!

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it…” says David in Psalm 24:1 (NIV). During the long summer days and long, warm summer evenings, many of us step outside a bit more to drink in the delights of God’s good creation. We have a few mockingbirds in our neighborhood that just really know how to give glory to God. They seem so much more vocal this year!

Human artists amaze me, but God’s artistic talent is beyond compare. His sunsets and sunrises can take my breath away. Seeing a brilliant lightning storm on the other side of the river light up the purple evening clouds as the sun goes down inspires awe. My wife loves getting photographs of birds, eagles, hawks, and other wildlife. God’s diverse creativity captures our imagination. What a wonderful God we have!

As you get out in nature this summer, be intentional to let your interaction with God’s good creation lead you to worship of our amazing and wonderfully good God, Jesus Christ. May God refresh your spirit and fill you with joy this week!

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Connecting With God

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 10:51:35 GMT

Refreshing Your Connection With God

As we begin the summer months, now is an excellent opportunity to take stock of your regular ways of connecting with God. What have you been hearing from Christ? What space have you given Jesus to speak into your life through the Scriptures? What words or phrases would best describe, characterize, or summarize your conversations with God?

Communication is the lifeblood and lubrication of relationship. God is constantly speaking to you through the Bible, now more accessible than ever. The other end of that is listening closely, allowing His Word to comfort, challenge, train, and inspire you. Have there been repeated messages or larger themes in what God has been saying to you personally?

Sometimes, barriers and failure are what so many of us feel like we experience. We were going to read the devotional in the car when we got to work, but we forgot. We wanted to pray, but then we weren’t sure how to start or what to say. We were having a good and meaningful time in the Scriptures when one of the kids burst into the room and our attention was diverted for the next 3 hours.

On the one hand, there are steps you can take to improve the quantity and quality of time that you consciously and meaningfully engage with God. Most that I have met have ways of creating and maintaining time for at least one of the major meals each day, even if it is a full, hectic, or even a frantic day. Similarly, as we grow to have the same level of desire and intentionality for God as we do for food, we grow in optimizing the structure of our lives to create room for relationship with God. Many of us have done this to cultivate time for family and friends. Is there a step God is inviting you to take to connect more nearly with Him?

God is not interested in external legalism. He wants you. He wants to actually know you in the sense of relational intimacy and closeness. His grace is enough. We will all have days (and sometimes more than just days) where we just miss the boat, even though we had every opportunity to connect with Christ. Relationship takes intentionality and some level of self-training. We never call best friends legalistic because they want to take time to communicate regularly. Christ is very interested in you. He longs for your soul to flourish. I encourage you to hit pause and give Christ a few of your minutes right now.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Transitions

Sat, 29 May 2021 14:55:45 GMT

Transitions

Thank you to all who have partnered together with us in the Name of our King, Jesus. Both giving and receiving news (which I shared on May 23rd) concerning the impending leadership transition is difficult. During these 4 months of transition, I want you to know that you can reach out to me. Except for times when I am officially out on vacation, Lord willing I will be directly accessible to serve and lead you until the close of September 2021.

Transitions are filled with opportunity and challenge. For our church family, the challenge is summarized by asking how and who. How will we as Jesus followers together move forward beyond September 2021? Who will take up the Lead Pastor’s responsibilities of prayer, leadership, preaching, teaching, administration, and so much more?

Know that you are not alone. First, remember the Holy Spirit. In Hebrews 13:5, God tells his followers, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (ESV) Second, Bishop Bryan Hoke brings the resources of our brothers and sisters in the Atlantic Conference of the BICUS to bear as he guides the Leadership Team through the discernment process. You are not alone.

At the same time, for our church family, the opportunities are summarized by the words trust and together. First, will you rally together in prayer? You can do this face-to-face or remotely in the many ways we have to connect: phone, text, email, zoom, social media, or if you prefer using cards and letters via snail mail. You can get together with another family from church and spend part of your time praying. You can reach out to the church office and ask for a time when people are praying together. Most Wednesdays at least part of the prayer team is available to pray at 7 p.m., but you will need to reach out in advance with summer travel upon us, and sometimes meetings are only available online. Reach out if you would like to join that team.

Second, will you proactively rally together to say yes to Jesus in action? What actions will those be? How often will they happen? How intentional will they be? To what extent will you re-order your personal and family lives to say a larger “yes” to God together? Will it be a “yes” to go out and serve the poor together regularly? Will it be a “yes” to work together to make church accessible to a young family every week? Will it be a “yes” to minister together to the forgotten and the lonely in one of our local retirement centers? What will you be intentional to do together in the name of Jesus? The more who sacrifice to serve together, the more that church can do together, and the more regularly that church can accomplish it, as some may serve one week and others may serve a different week.

Your prayers together and your actions together through this time of transition and beyond will be invaluable as the Bishop and Leadership Team discern next steps together. You all together are Bright Hope Fellowship, but more importantly, together you represent Jesus Christ to our dying and hurting world. Together you still can make a difference for God. What is God asking of you? I encourage you to spend a few minutes in prayer and surrender to God right now.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Growing in Jesus

Thu, 20 May 2021 23:24:29 GMT

How To Grow in Jesus

Growing up, I had a cousin who developed a love for martial arts, and he actually became quite talented. He would show me moves from time to time. A good friend in high school got into some pretty significant mixed martial arts training. Another friend of mine during my high school days was a skilled wrestler, a starter in the 186-lb. division. As I spent time with them, because they were so involved in developing their physical prowess, it was the most natural thing in the world for us to talk. I got to hear many stories of their training, competitions, and more. I had become conversationally familiar in so many ways with the world of self-defense. But familiar is all that I was.

For some people, that is how they interact with Jesus Christ. They are familiar with Jesus. They go to church most Sundays, or at least at one point in their lives they did. They have heard some of the main or more often repeated segments of the Scriptures, stories about Jonah and the great fish, Jesus walking on water, maybe even Daniel in the lion’s den. They might even pray a few other times during the week. They are moral; they seem to be really ethical and nice people; they “do the right things.” They know all the right things to say in regular Sunday morning settings. They know how to not raise any red flags with a church staffer or small group leader or one of those really fired up or serious Christians. But if they are being completely honest with themselves and with God, they would have to admit that familiar is all they are.

After graduating high school and beginning my undergraduate studies at Penn State, I went from conversationally familiar and thinking I knew a few things about self-defense to vibrantly engaged in the long and painful learning process involved in becoming a fighter. I realized how stiff and inflexible I had always been in certain ways. I was stretched. I realized how poor my balance was, and how much training it took to actually learn how to do what seemed to be even basic moves. After persevering for a few months, I had begun transitioning from someone that was only familiar with self-defense to someone who could in some limited ways truly defend themselves.

No matter where you are in your journey, know that Jesus looks at you with love, and He invites you to something more than familiarity. Jesus invites you to put your whole trust, your deepest trust, in His Person, His Work, and His Word. Jesus invites you to surrender your whole heart, your whole life, to His leadership. If familiar with Jesus more accurately captures the reality of your life, then Jesus is calling you to transition from someone that is mainly or only familiar with Himself to someone who truly follows Him in faith.

Christ looks at the heart. This doesn’t mean that Christ looks at your intentions. This means that Christ sees who you really are and where you are really at. Christ knows when you are surrendered to Him and when you are not. Christ sees all the mess, and He loves and deeply desires and longs for you anyway. Christ doesn’t want you to be merely familiar with Him and His family (the Church); Christ calls you to actually engage, to actively follow Him and to actively engage as part of the Church. Jesus loves you to the maximum, always. My desire is for you to know the depths of the riches of the love, grace, power, truth, and mercy of Jesus the King. But in order for that to become a reality in your life, you are going to have to move beyond the familiar-only zone.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

The American Dream

Mon, 10 May 2021 23:39:24 GMT

The "Good Life" According to Jesus

What images, ideas, or words come to your mind when I mention the American dream? For me, I see white picket fences, children and students playing together, Dads and Moms able to make their way forward in the world. I see families sitting on the curb or stoop eating ice cream, hopefully fast enough before it melts. I see parents dreaming and working on achieving that next opportunity, that next goal: climbing the corporate ladder, growing the business, getting the raise and attaining a work schedule that is more family friendly. Words that come to mind are imagination, possibility, safety, opportunity, access. The American dream is realized to the extent that these kinds of things become realities.

Everyone has their own ideas of the “good life.” The age-old concept of beginning with the end in mind and having plans, dreams, and aspirations for growth and potential are really good things. What do you say the “good life” is?

Jesus gives his followers a different picture of the “good life.” Jesus could have had much more than the “American dream” when he walked the earth, but he chose something different, something which he demonstrated as much better and more significant than the “good life” most of us have in mind.

This week, I invite you to study Matthew 5:3-16. In this passage, Jesus keeps repeating a particular Greek word which can be rendered in English as “blessed” or “happy.” As Jesus opens his discourse with these amazing statements, what is the picture of the “good life” that He is painting for you? Are there obstacles in your life to this “good life” portrait that Jesus paints? What is Jesus’ main invitation to you today?

May you have the truly good life, the life Jesus leads us to find uniquely in and through following Him, our Savior and King.

Blessings

, Pastor Jeremy

Happy Mother's Day!

Wed, 05 May 2021 23:12:55 GMT

To All Moms — Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms!!! And a Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms in your life! This weekend, this Sunday, we set aside to recognize the invaluable people and the roles and responsibilities that they fulfill as Moms.

The majority of Moms in our culture fulfill multiple full-time roles: that of Mom, as well as part-time or full-time work outside of the home, not to mention the roles of wife, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor and more. Moms are amazing. They carry us and care for us. Moms nourish, teach, serve, listen, love, help, discipline, guide, and do so much for us. No Mom is perfect, but sometimes it can feel like they are because of all that they do and all that they are out of love, sheer love! Moms, thank you so much. Know that you yourself are loved and treasured by Jesus the King more than you could possibly imagine and understand.

Some among us are really missing Mom today. While we may know they are in a better place, we just miss them so much. Others have a lot of complexity and layers and, to some extent, a bit of mess regarding the relationship with Mom and what that is or was like. Mother’s Day might be hard for you because of these or other hard realities. My prayer for you is that Jesus Himself will hold you, strengthen you, encourage you, wrap his arms around you, heal you, and help you this day.

Some among us are hurting so much because of hurts and disappointments regarding Motherhood, the broken expectations and the crushing disappointment of what life is currently versus what you had hoped it would be. Likewise, I pray for your comfort, strength, help, and healing in the arms of Jesus. He suffers with all who struggle today. Moms, may you have a truly beautiful and blessed Mother’s Day this year!

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Reading the Bible Rightly

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 18:21:51 GMT

How to Read Your Bible

Life explodes in May. One of my favorite families of shrubs are azaleas. Ours have just begun to bloom the last couple days, and I know many more will bloom and will likely stay in bloom for another few weeks unless it gets unseasonably hot. As followers of Jesus, we celebrate and love life. Jesus loves life. He gave you your physical life, knitting you together – soul, heart, mind, and body. In spite of your sin and messiness, Jesus invites you into new life – eternal life – available only and uniquely by consciously choosing to trust from the center of your heart in Jesus as your supreme King and only Savior. This is what we call belief and faith. This choice also includes change, what in Christian speak we call repentance. We give up our limited life for his abundant life. This is the beginning of the journey of following Jesus.

Being a Christian is all about following Jesus – not on your own, but in community with others. Jesus gives us much help in this area. I know I need it, and so do you. First, Jesus gives every follower the gift of the Holy Spirit. God’s own Spirit comes into your heart and causes your spirit to come alive in a way it never was before. Second, Jesus gives us His Word from Genesis to Revelation. This is one of the primary ways in which we hear from Jesus, are influenced in the way of Jesus, and through which the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Third, Jesus gives us the gift of one another in Christ. Jesus calls and expects all of his followers to place high value on the faith community – what in our culture we call the local church. Church is not an institution. Church is Jesus followers together.

When it comes to Jesus’ words – that is, the Bible from Genesis through Revelation – there are some major pitfalls we need to avoid.

Bible-olatry: It is fully possible to be a person who is so in love with the ideas and knowledge found in the Scripture that that person fails to properly connect with, surrender to, and follow Christ himself or herself. Bible-olatry was the problem of the conservatives of Jesus’ day (the Pharisees) in John 5:39-47. They studied and read extensively and carefully, loving the Scriptures, and yet when it came down to it, they were more in love with their systematic theology and their preferred interpretations of those Scriptures than they were in love with Jesus himself. In fact, because Jesus showed and told them they were wrong, many hated and rejected him to his face. This shows up today in seminary professors, pastors, and just Christians in general who are so in love with the Bible but have so little room in their hearts to substantially surrender to Jesus in daily life.

Theological Individualism and Pride: This appears when no one else can challenge your interpretation. You are belligerently set on your unique interpretations. There is no or little room in your life for other Holy Spirit filled Jesus followers to challenge or disagree with your lone ranger interpretation. We are called to interpret together. Pastors do this together and as they dive into commentaries. Many Christians interpret together by engaging and participating in student and adult learning communities.

Biblical Illiteracy: To our shame, most Americans who call themselves Christians, including most who go to church, hardly read the Bible in any substantial way. The Bible is more accessible than ever and yet it seems that many American Christians are reading it less and less. From where I sit, this is the predominant pitfall in American Christianity. We say we believe the Bible, but then we hardly ever engage with it!

The main point for us is following Jesus together. We supremely savor and love Jesus Himself. And the supreme point of Jesus’ words, of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation, is that we fall at the feet of Jesus in surrender and follow Him together as directed.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Back to Gospel Basics

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 23:08:53 GMT

Why We Need the Gospel Message

Ever since the time of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ followers have struggled in relating to culture. The cultures in which we have lived do NOT follow Jesus, which means that we are fundamentally at odds on the deepest levels. Our goals diverge from the various goals in culture. Our values are different. Our morals, ethics, and lifestyle choices are different. The way we approach relationships is different. The way we handle and manage our resources changes. The way we work is also changed by the love, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ, poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Why didn’t Jesus speak against the abuses of the leaders of his day? Rome was powerful because they knew how to conquer and subjugate peoples by brute force. This was particularly true in the region of Palestine and Israel, the region in which Jesus lived. The Romans were brutal. Jesus remained laser-focused on His mission, which is the same as our mission: to live and to spread the Gospel, the Good News found uniquely in the Person, Word, and Work of Jesus Christ.

Unlike Jesus’ situation, God has given us the privilege of living in a democratic society where we actually get to vote, to speak out and to speak up, and generally speaking the majority vote carries the day. As long as I have been alive, the majority of Americans have not been Jesus followers, and that percentage keeps going down. Nevertheless, I encourage you to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading when it comes to the various causes and things to which you lend your voice, your time, and your energy.

At the same time, I must be crystal clear: for we who follow Jesus and who are led by the Holy Spirit, NOTHING and absolutely NOTHING is as important as the actual mission that Jesus entrusted to us. There is no Plan B. We are the ones called as his ambassadors. It is good that God has led Jesus followers to do wonderfully good things in cultures around the world. It is good that Jesus followers have started hospitals, opened schools and universities, begun missions for the poor, facilitated treatment and aid for the addicted and the abused. I continue to be thankful for organizations such as Focus on the Family, World Vision, and Samaritan’s Purse, and so many more that seek to do good and bring the good of Jesus into our world on many fronts. But note this: these ventures, as good as they are, are secondary matters to the actual mission Jesus died to give us.

More than anything, we are to be a gathered people who rally together around the Gospel of Jesus, living into our core purposes of worshipping together, being discipled together, being in relationship together, evangelizing together, and serving together.

The focus of Jesus followers together is nothing more and nothing less than the Gospel of Jesus itself. While other very worthy goals and causes are important to us (e.g. feeding the hungry) we will not and cannot allow these lesser goals to cause mission drift and sidetrack us from our actual mission.

This is why we set up separate organizations that do not replace the Church (that is, Jesus followers together), but rather come alongside us to aid us as we seek to address needs. The Holy Spirit is not going to lead you to assault people as part of a mob, but the Spirit may lead you to peacefully and lovingly speak up or stand up in protest regarding a particular issue. The Holy Spirit may lead you to volunteer or even change careers and work in any number of fields as you seek to influence change in the ways of Jesus. But again, none of these are the primary mission. Even as we go about these important matters, we MUST remained primarily and principally focused on knowing, loving, and following Jesus together and helping others likewise deeply surrender to Jesus Christ alone as King and Savior.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Tax Season

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:23:59 GMT

InvitingJesus Into Your Decisions

Some years ago, I came across for the first time, an all-time favorite electronic card. This card just makes me laugh and laugh! It is the screaming banshee doing taxes. It is a card with both simple video and audio that just hits the sweet spot – that is, the sweet spot for a screaming banshee doing taxes!

If you find that kind of a thing as funny as I do, perhaps you also feel a level of stress or pressure around engaging with tax season. I admit feeling that pressure over the years, and not always for the same reasons! When we are at points where it is hard to make it from one pay period to the next, to just survive, it’s hard because the thought of having to potentially part with even more money just hurts so much.

Some of us who have more than a simple tax situation to look at can get stressed out just trying to make sure you get everything right. Others find themselves digging for information they are asked to provide that they didn’t know existed. Still others who are already facing a lot of unknowns approach tax season with a vague but growing sense of dread and pressure, wondering how bad will it be this year? And what will I do?

Then there are plenty of people that just don’t want to think about their money much at all. They want to have enough and be able to spend what they spend, but they do not want to take a closer look. They would rather do almost anything else than get honest – truly and specifically honest – about their personal finances.

But taking that look, whether it is something that happens during tax season or just as you are budgeting or planning with the resources God has given you, is just a fantastic opportunity to grow with Jesus. Your money shows a lot about your life. While we cannot avoid the IRS, the reality is that the remaining percentage of your resources goes somewhere. And you make decisions about where it goes.

When you see the overall summary and look carefully at the pattern of those decisions, it speaks a level of unavoidable truth about your life, what you love, and what you value.

When a detective wants to put the pieces together on a case, they can find so much aid in following money trails and looking closely at patterns, including spending habits. The patterns of your spending say something about the rhythms of your heart.

Some do not like looking too closely at either. They just want to be free to live life however. But the reality is, as Tim Keller has noted in some of his writing (not sure of which book, possibly in The Reason for God), that freedom is a lot more complicated than you think. Avoiding truth means creating more separation from the abundant life and freedom that God deeply desires you to experience.

I encourage you, however and whenever you look at your own patterns and habits concerning your resources, to invite Jesus into the process. He has the grace, the truth, the hope, and the power you need, as well as the love that your heart really longs for, even in the midst of all of that.

May your heart rest in the abundance found in Christ rather than in that much smaller pile of resources you call “yours.” Christ is that much better foundation, and He loves you deeply, no matter your past or your current situation. Find Christ; go to Him! Surrender all of yourself to him, even the deepest parts of you. Trust Him as your King as well as your Savior, and you will find the rest your heart has always longed for.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Waiting

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 17:55:23 GMT

Learning How To Wait

Spring is finally here. A loved one finally receives the medical treatment they desperately needed. Your group at work finally completes the project whose delivery date was moved back three times! Yet when you are in the heart of winter, spring feels so far away. When critical medical treatment is delayed, consternation mounts. When your work project experiences yet another cluster of frustrating setbacks, you might begin to feel overwhelmed. Waiting is something we all experience, yet many of us admit that we could get better at it. There are so many ways we can grow in our waiting.

Savor Christ: waiting is an invitation to intentionally connect with God right now. One of the things you never have to wait for in this life is to be with God. In his book, God Is Closer Than You Think, Pastor John Ortberg summarizes it this way: right now is your next best moment to be with God. Take the opportunity to rest in and savor the fact that God loves you to the maximum, not just on your best days, but especially on your worst. You who follow Jesus, savor the deep love of God for you in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Learn from Christ: as you wait, consider: What has God been communicating to you? What was the last sermon you heard? The last Scripture passage you sat down with? Is there a way in which God is communicating to you through your circumstances? As you wait, what is God revealing to you about Himself? About yourself? About others? About various events or issues or ideas? How might God be encouraging you to view these things through the lens of Jesus and His words from Genesis through Revelation?

Align with Christ: waiting is NOT a synonym for passivity. Rather, waiting is an opportunity to actively prepare and grow. How do you spend your time when you are waiting? Are you completely passive? To what extent are you strategically active? In what ways are you increasingly intentional? How can you bring more of your life, your family, your work, and your rest under the authority of Jesus and increasingly aligned with Christ’s loves and values?

Rest in Christ: waiting can be an opportunity for much needed rest and restoration. Some among us have a problem called workaholism: the subtle addiction to the adrenaline rush of getting another thing done, another task accomplished, another project moving forward. God sometimes introduces waiting into our lives to remind us that He alone is God and we are not. And sometimes, we need to be reminded that we are created as human beings, not human doings. God values rest, and He wants you likewise to value it.

Many times, our seasons of waiting are unpredictable and often beyond our control. Just because you are waiting now does not imply you will be waiting tomorrow. Nevertheless, waiting is a reality we all experience. I want you to thrive even as you wait. So, I encourage you: savor Christ, learn from Christ, align with Christ, and rest in Christ, even as you wait.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

He Is Risen!

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 17:59:35 GMT

He Is Risen Indeed!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!! This Sunday is Easter 2021. Easter for us is the premier, the prime holiday; nothing can top it! Nothing beats Jesus defeating death and showing Satan and death and all the powers of evil Who is Boss.

While every Sunday is technically a weekly celebration of the Resurrection, Easter is uniquely Resurrection Sunday, the annual celebration of what Jesus accomplished once and for all in our place! All hail King Jesus! For those of us who follow Jesus, nothing should ever fire us up more than the Victory of Christ.

There is so much mess in this life. Whether it is a political thing, a health diagnosis, a terribly trying family situation, or whatever else we face, we have days and even seasons where we feel like God is not winning and that nothing will work out for our good. It is good that the mess in our world, the pain we suffer, the adversities we face do not have the last word. Jesus has already won, and Jesus will win. Victory is inevitable. Let the empty tomb and the blood-stained cross of Christ not only remind you, but inspire you and give you hope as you go forward this week.

May the Holy Spirit fill all of you who call upon the name of Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

The Place of Pain

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 17:18:24 GMT

Preparing for the Passion of Christ

There was a crowd celebrating Jesus’ return to Jerusalem just several days before he is secretly arrested and killed. One of the reasons Jesus has such a big draw is that just days earlier, in the vicinity near the city, he raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus resurrects Lazarus more than 4 days after he had been dead and buried (see John 11).

There is an often overlooked part of the story in John 11. Jesus has Mary and Martha take Him to the place of their pain, the tomb in which their brother lies, his life cut tragically short by an unknown malady. The sisters had to be willing to invite Jesus in and to accompany him to the place of their suffering. Healing only takes place afterwards.

Jesus knows the human heart, and He knows more than anyone how healing works. He knew that Martha and Mary first needed to be with Him in the place of their pain before they could truly experience all the grace he wanted to give to them.

If you or a loved one is struggling right now, know that Jesus is very familiar with pain, loss, hurt. Jesus has lost more persons He loves to death than anyone else ever. Christ is familiar with suffering on a scale a bit beyond what we can truly understand. Jesus knows how to walk with you in the dark valleys of life. And Jesus knows best how to help you thrive in the valley and also how best to come out the other side.

Could it possibly be the case that Jesus wants you to show him the place of your suffering, not because He doesn’t know about it, and not because He can’t mystically get there on His own, but rather because He knows that you need to be the one to invite Him in and lead Him in to the place of your pain so that you can truly be healed. Jesus wants you to thrive, to live the abundant life. Be open to the Holy Spirit. And let God reveal what next needs to be made whole in your life

. Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Praying for God's Will

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 19:25:02 GMT

Praying According to God's Will

This morning, I asked my eldest what she wanted to pray for on the way to school. “Pray that it keeps raining all day,” she replied. So, we prayed. An hour later, I was taking my youngest to school. I asked her if there is any way I can pray for her today. She replied, “Pray that it stops raining. It needs to stop raining!” As brothers and sisters in Jesus, we are part of a big family. I can only imagine the competing requests that our Father in heaven gets every day. Apostle John writes in 1 John 5:13-15,

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (ESV)

Have you prayed for God’s will in your life, personally, today? Deep surrender to Jesus is core, critical, and crucial for us. He leads; we follow. Following is not merely some philosophical idea. We actually bend our way to His Way. What are Christ’s invitations for you today? I urge you to hear his voice through the Scriptures, to receive what He says, and to surrender your very self to him again today. May Christ have His way right away in your life today.

Blessings, Pastor Jeremy

Dealing With Stress and Pressure

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 20:50:15 GMT

How Do You Handle Stress?

Stress is a normal part of life. A good synonym for stress is pressure. When a support beam is carrying a weight, there is stress on the beam. Pressure alone is not a bad thing; in fact, the beam is designed to carry significant loads. Pressure in life is normal. Athletes experience the pressure to win. Medical students and resident physicians experience the pressure of many licensing examinations. Parents experience many pressures that are simply a part of the journey of helping young persons flourish, thrive, and become all that God created them to be.

But in our messy world we often experience pressure that is not only not good but actually beyond our ability to bear. Apostle Paul and his friend and co-worker Timothy write in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11:

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (ESV)

Are you under pressure today? Are there stressors in your life that are literally beyond your ability to bear? Have you lost hope? Are you despairing even of life itself? Do not lose heart! You are in good company. I and many of your brothers and sisters know what it is like to be under significant strain beyond our ability to bear – some of us know what it is like to live with that kind of strain for prolonged periods of time. Though you may feel isolated, the reality is that you are not peculiar for your struggles, and if you are willing to connect more deeply with your brothers and sisters in Christ, you do not have to be alone. When you follow Jesus, you are part of His family. Church is who we are together.

As we are getting ready to see the resurrected Christ, the words of Paul and Timothy should ring in your ears. Today – this week – now is the time to re-orient your life, your heart, your desires, your mind, your thinking on Jesus Christ. Paul and Timothy had to re-orient their lives; as they felt they were not going to be able to take it just one more day, Christ called them to rely even more deeply on Him. They experienced together the Risen Christ who “raises the dead.” And they were called to plead for help from their family in Christ.

Help one another by your prayers. Lean ever more into Christ. You may not be able, but He is able. May you find yourself loving others, placing your hope even more in Christ, and ultimately, giving thanks and glory to God.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Participating in Lent

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 18:15:18 GMT

Do You Participate in Lent?

A friend of mine has work ed full-time for Walmart for decades. Even though it is weeks away, he tells me the store is gearing up ahead of time for St. Patrick’s Day. Similarly, many families, sometime in the Fall, begin to change the décor of their home or apartment. Then they begin to buy things, wrap things, plan things. They are getting ready for Christmas. Right now, Jesus followers all over the world are in a season of Lent, which is a season in which we take more than 40 days to get ready to remember and to celebrate the death and the bodily resurrection of the Lord, the King, Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately for many in the worldwide family of Jesus followers, this is a season they miss or skip over, to their detriment. They miss out on the anticipation and preparation needed to fully observe and enjoy Easter Weekend. They come into Easter, perhaps just as rushed or even more rushed as they come into the Christmas holiday. Our world is filled with so much hustle and bustle, so much noise. There are so many good things we work at, we do, we love, and in which we participate. But even some of these good things serve as unhelpful distractions, robbing our souls and our local Christian communities of the time they need to be reformed even more into the image (Romans 8) and into the prepared bride of Christ (Ephesians 4-6; Revelation 21) as he intends us to be.

When you begin following Jesus, God breathes new life into your soul through the finished work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, He begins working on helping you embark on the abundant life God gives uniquely and only in Jesus (John 10). To participate in Lent is to participate in the opportunity to connect more intentionally with the Waymaker, that is, with Jesus Christ. Some do this through fasting, others do this by intentionally engaging in specific devotionals and plans designed for this time, and all who prepare do so intentionally. They are setting aside time not out of duty or religion, but rather out of relational excitement and anticipation.

I have overseen the work of a number of parolees, people ordered by a judge to complete community service. While a few work at it wholeheartedly, this is not the norm. Many of them drag their feet and are only doing it out of pure duty. That is religion. But I have also had the privilege to officiate the marriage of people in love. While there certainly is intentionality, there is so much joy, so much passion. That is what true Christianity is like; that is relationship!

Lent is an opportunity to help get ready to see Jesus. Brides look forward to that moment of seeing their beloved, waiting at the altar, watching them with anticipation. Brides get ready with so much intentionality because they are excited. Let Lent become your season of excited preparation to see the Risen Christ. For helps and guides for your personal time, check out the libraries of resources available through RightNow Media (https://rightnowmedia.org) as well as through the YouVersion app. And be extra intentional to connect with your local gathering of Jesus followers, that is, your church.

The Importance of Jesus' Mission

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 15:19:55 GMT

Reflecting on the Mission of Jesus

In just a few weeks, we will be celebrating the #1 celebration and holiday of the year for Jesus followers: Easter. As we prepare to celebrate, I would encourage you to consider taking the month of March to reflect on the importance of Jesus’ mission.

Jesus’ mission is not completed. He accomplished the redemption that only He could, and ever since God has been at work, in partnership with His followers, to reach people with the Gospel.

This is something we are trying to do each and every week as a church family. We want others to know, love, and follow Jesus. And you can engage in mission with us through prayer, through worshipping with us yourself, through serving the Next Generation, by helping us stream the service, and more!

This mission is also at work in our wider world, where churches are working together to resource ministry to the least of these among us. Many Jesus followers give (and some even volunteer) at local food banks, at shelters, through various service projects, and so much more.

This mission carries on globally, as Jesus followers persevere in sharing the Gospel even where it is illegal, some of them making the ultimate sacrifice when getting caught. This mission is also awake and alive through activities such as child and family sponsorships, through medical missions, through well drilling, through making education accessible to those who could not otherwise learn basics such as how to read, and in so many other ways.

As Nicky Gumble and the Alpha Team have rightly said, Jesus gives us hope for this life, hope in this life, and hope that is not limited to this life. How will you engage with the mission of Jesus? Will you partner with your church family? Will you go an additional step further and also serve regionally or globally? What is Christ asking of you?

May you share the hope that Jesus has given you. May you take the next step to joining your brothers and sisters in Christ as we say “Yes!” to Jesus our King and seek His will, His kingdom, so that they, too, can have the same life-giving hope that we have.

Blessings, Pastor Jeremy

How's Your Soul Health?

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 19:50:15 GMT

How's Your Soul Health?

How is your soul these days? How would you rate the health and vibrancy of your inner life with God? And how about your loved ones, your friends and family: how well are their souls? God wants you, and He wants them, to flourish, to thrive, to live the abundant eternal life found uniquely in King Jesus.

For some, their souls are in a living spiritual death, having no saving connection to Jesus Christ. To those who have never experienced the saving grace of God, I urge you to believe, repent of your sins and ways, and follow Jesus. Today is the day that your new life in Jesus can begin!! (2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:2). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!” (Romans 10:13 (ESV); see also Joel 2:32, as well as the broader passage in Romans 10:6-13). This is an urgent matter, for you really don’t know how long you have. This believing, repenting from your ways, and following of Jesus is something that needs to begin before you graduate from this life into the next.

Others have experienced salvation, but they haven’t really done a whole lot with their new eternal life with God. The Holy Spirit continues to nudge them and urge them to drink from Christ, who is our only well of living water (John 4:13-14).

Some have walked with God for years, but are currently in a season where the role of Christ has been more diminished in their conscious day-to-day life. It has not been a matter of purposefully stepping away from God, but rather they have become alternately distracted from God, disappointed with God, or let down by so many people and things in life that they thought would be different or better. Over time, their desire to be with God, to connect intentionally with God, to follow God on mission, to understand and to live into their place among other Jesus followers, all of this has waned over months or perhaps years. And now being on fire for God is only a distant memory.

Still others are just reeling in the pain and mess of this life, just trying to survive. You follow and love Jesus. You feel strongly about your inner life. But you may or may not know how to process your pain with Christ and as a part of Christ’s family, among your fellow Jesus followers. Jesus invites you to find rest that only He can provide (Matthew 11:28-29; Isaiah 55), and He invites you to be intentional to create space in your life to be intimate with other Jesus followers, allowing them to help you carry your burdens (Galatians 6:1-5). We are family in Jesus.

Perhaps you are in a good or even a very good place. You walk daily with God. Prayer is for you like breathing; you do it much of the time so naturally. You are in the Scriptures, allowing God to shape your thinking, your feeling, your values, your priorities, on a regular basis. In terms of repentance, you keep your accounts with Christ short, as it were: you don’t let sin hang around, and you don’t wallow in shame after you have repented because you allow the Holy Spirit to help you move on. Peace in the midst of great turmoil, joy in the midst of significant pain or suffering, hope in the face of circumstances that would cause most to despair, a deep unshakeable happiness in God that flows as you trust him more and more – this is the reality of your life. When you find this abundant life in you, you find yourself making room to serve others alongside your fellow Jesus followers, doing life together. And I urge you to pray, to encourage, to build up, and to help others who are not currently where you are. You have what they need!

May every one of you thrive in our amazing and blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings, Pastor Jeremy

"Never Say Never"

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 22:09:06 GMT

Never Say Never

“Never say never.” That is what we say, because much of the time we use that word, the realities we face bear out our words to be untrue. God says in Isaiah 45:18b-19:

“I am the Lord, and there is no other.

I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness;

I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,

‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right…” (ESV)

As a follower of Jesus along with you, I believe that God speaks the truth. In Hebrews 13:5 we find this precious promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (ESV)

God is the one who really can say never. This is one of the many precious promises God has made to us. Beginning February 21st, we will begin delving into some of these promises. We live in a world with so much disappointment, let down, and despondency. But God is with us now, and we need to tune in to His words, remember His promises, and find strength in Him for the days ahead.

May God help us as a church take the actions we must take together as we lean into God’s Word, God’s strength, God’s character, and God’s mission in the world.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Groundhog Day: Newsletter for February 7

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:32:33 GMT

Becoming A Better Person

Thanks to all of you who participated in our Annual Meeting this past Sunday! A number of you braved the weather to join me in the building, and even more of you dialed in online to join in the family conversation. I will be sharing more about this soon as the church moves forward.

This past snowy Tuesday was Groundhog Day. I have never been to Punxsutawney to see Phil, who, not surprisingly, predicted winter will hang on and that this year is not an early spring. I have, however, seen the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, a classic comedy following an arrogant weatherman who is forced to realize his limits and is compelled to engage with his own dark side. During this film, Bill’s character finds himself in a seemingly inescapable time loop, where apparently for years he lives the same exact Groundhog Day over and over and over again.

For a while Bill’s character exploits this as an opportunity for doing literally whatever he wants. He never ages, and he seems immune to consequences since the next day will be like today never happened. But his life never moves forward. Every 24-hour cycle he wakes up and it is literally the same day over again. Finally, after countless forays into crime, romance, and adventure, Bill gets his fill of himself, his pleasures, and his ways. All he wants is to not be stuck in life. He goes into deep depression and commits suicide, but even this does not deliver him. Bill finds himself a prisoner that no manner and no number of deaths can help him escape.

This is what sin does to people, including to those we know and love who do not yet follow Jesus. Sin takes us prisoner and ultimately puts people in an inescapable place, which ultimately becomes a place of unbearable, unrelenting pain. Unlike in Bill’s situation, which he eventually escapes by “becoming a better person” and by learning in some small measure what is actually involved in love, there is only one way we can be rescued: through the crucifixion and resurrection of King Jesus.

Heaven is where Jesus rules, and one way or the other, every knee will bow and every tongue will indeed confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). Unfortunately, it seems that many will be FORCED to do this because they have utterly rejected Christ and hardened their hearts to his rule. The only possible place left is a place where sin, evil, pain, suffering, and worse run rampant, unchecked by the goodness, grace, power, and leadership of King Jesus. May you draw near to Christ by grace through faith. May you help those around you to do the same. Jesus the King is indeed our only Hope, our Living Hope. Help them find the saving grace and life-changing power available ONLY in receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

Newsletter for January 31

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 15:12:23 GMT

Important Annual Meeting Coming

Hi everyone! This Sunday, January 31st, we are having our Annual Meeting at 4 p.m. I gave a rather extended plea for this meeting in the last newsletter. I will not repeat all of that, but I will say this: please be intentional to connect and be a part of this meeting. The more of us that work together, the more we can glorify God and be a blessing to others as well. You can be involved together with us at Annual Meeting in one of 3 ways: (a) by attending face-to-face (b) by phone or (c) by Zooming into the meeting. If your contact information is on file with us, then Phone and Zoom connection information has been sent to you via email (on January 16th) and also through USPS if you did not receive the physical copy while here at the Church. The original deadline for questions to be submitted to the office has passed. At this point any additional questions, issues, or troubleshooting needs must be submitted directly to me at 717-309-9580 by Sunday morning, and I will do my best to incorporate these very last minute submissions once we are in the meeting (it is likely that you will have to leave a message)

. Brothers and sisters, God has done some amazing and good things among us, and we need to thank Him. We get to do that. God is also encouraging and inviting us to live more and more into His will and His purposes, and we have a real opportunity to rally together to honor Him in all of this. May Christ Himself refresh your spirit, strengthen your faith, and pour out his grace upon you all.

Blessings, Pastor Jeremy

Newsletter for January 24

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 19:27:32 GMT

Important Church Meeting Coming

Hi everyone! I want to encourage you once again: please be a part of our Annual Meeting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 31st. This is a crucial meeting for us, because we really want to do our best for God together, and we desperately need your input, engagement, and involvement. We need to talk together, and then we have some things that we need to accomplish together. If anyone could have done it alone, it would have been Jesus Christ, but He did not. He took a group and did life and ministry with them. And He inspired the apostles and early leaders of the Movement he started – which is the Church – to do the same. If you follow Jesus, then you are part of the Church; there is no avoiding it. And if you follow Jesus, He has given you gifts – time, talents, resources, abilities, opportunities etc., with which to serve with and serve alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Church is by definition who we as Jesus followers are together and what we as Jesus followers do together. Jesus wants us to worship together, yes! Jesus expects us to reach the Next Generation, absolutely! Jesus exhorts us to love and to live out His commands together. None of us individually can do everything that we together are called to do. It takes us working together, which means that we depend on each and every one of you to engage and be involved so that we can do our best for God together. While the shape of our togetherness has morphed somewhat to include virtual as well as face-to-face due to the needs of our times, we can and we must still find ways to live out our call from God together, because we need each other. You can be involved together with us at Annual Meeting in one of 3 ways: (a) by attending face-to-face (b) by phone or (c) by Zooming into the meeting. Phone and Zoom connection information has been sent to you via email and also through USPS if you did not receive the physical copy while here at the Church.

Should you have questions on how to connect remotely or on the face-to-face meeting or on the packet itself, please submit them, along with your name and contact information, to us, no later than noon on Wednesday, January 27th. You can submit questions, comments, etc. in several ways: through email to office@bhbic.com, through text to 717-500-3938, or else leave a voicemail on our voicemail line at 717-944-4400. You can also call Pastor Jeremy directly (and please leave a voicemail or a text message here in case he does not answer) at 717-309-9580. May all glory be to God alone! May we glorify Him together!

Blessings, Pastor Jeremy

Newsletter for January 17

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:30:18 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk

I was part of a group that was reflecting recently on these words in Psalm 33:10-11:

The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. (NLT)

There are companion verses in Proverbs 16:1, 9, where we are told: We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer… We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps… (NLT)

These verses are not teaching that we should be fatalistic, or that we should not seek to follow Jesus, which requires intentionality, engagement, and, quite often, requires planning, perseverance, and more. But these verses offer a corrective to our often hyperactive drives for individual freedom and “our rights,” whatever those may be. Usually when our plans do not work, we have a plan B and a plan C, etc. But what if Christ was superintending each of your shattered plans this year to be invitations and opportunities for you to give Him greater attention, greater surrender, greater allegiance? To seek to see what He is doing and how you can join Him? I am not at all suggesting that Christ Himself has shattered any of your plans – that would really be a matter for discernment on your part in prayer. Rather, I am suggesting that in spite of the messiness and brokenness of the world, that Christ can use even the circumstances of your broken plans to give you an opportunity to learn, grow, adapt, to be with Him perhaps in ways you were not expecting. I encourage you to reflect on these matters and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through His Word.

Blessings, Pastor Jeremy